DESPITE the gloom and despondency which so often dominate the headlines, we look forward to Christmas with a sense of hope that important strides can be made towards peace in the world.

It is easy to submit to pessimism when the killing goes on almost daily. On the day that Tony Blair flew to Baghdad in a secret visit, 22 more people died in mortar and rocket attacks on a US base in Mosul.

But whatever differences of opinion there are on the rights and wrongs of the continuing conflict, we must all hope and pray that democracy will come to Iraq in the New Year, and that the foundations are laid for a more stable future for the country's people.

Our thoughts this Christmas are with the Iraqi people, and the British troops - including many from this part of the country - who are working so hard towards establishing that stability.

In the Middle East and Northern Ireland there is also cause for hope that progress can be made after the long, depressing years of stalemate.

It is easy to be cynical, but we applaud Mr Blair for pushing for a peace summit in London in March in a bid to provide a bridge back to an internationally agreed settlement in the Middle East.

And the huge political prize of a peace deal in Northern Ireland - so tantalisingly close at the start of the month - is another cause for New Year optimism.

It is with these hopes in our heart that we wish our readers a happy and peaceful Christmas.